If your Qolsys panel reports a Tamper, Cover Open, or similar sensor trouble, the panel is usually indicating that the affected device's tamper switch is not being held in its normal position.
This commonly happens after a sensor is opened to replace its battery.
These instructions apply generally to:
Many alarm sensors contain a tamper switch designed to detect when the sensor's cover is removed or the device is opened.
Opening a sensor to replace its battery may cause the Qolsys panel to report a tamper.
Normally, the tamper should restore after the sensor cover is properly reinstalled.
Check the Qolsys panel or Message Center for the exact sensor name.
For example:
Write down the exact sensor name before troubleshooting.
If the tamper appeared immediately after changing a sensor battery, check the sensor that was opened.
Common causes include:
Do not immediately delete or reset the sensor.
Make sure the security system is disarmed before handling the sensor.
Inspect the affected sensor and verify that:
Do not force the cover.
Different sensor models use different opening and closing methods.
A Tamper condition and an Open condition are different.
Open normally means a door or window sensor believes the protected opening is open.
Tamper normally means the sensor's cover, case, or tamper mechanism is not in its normal secured position.
If the panel says Open, check the door, window, sensor, and magnet.
If the panel says Tamper, check the sensor enclosure first.
A sensor can have both a Low Battery and Tamper condition.
For example, you may open a sensor to replace its low battery. After replacing the battery, the low-battery condition may eventually clear, but a tamper can remain if the cover was not completely reinstalled.
Always read all active trouble messages.
If the cover appears properly installed but the tamper remains:
If the trouble remains, contact CommTech Systems.
If a motion detector reports a tamper:
Some devices can also monitor their mounting or back plate, so a cover that appears closed may not resolve every tamper condition.
If a door or window sensor reports tamper:
Use additional caution with life-safety devices.
If a smoke, carbon monoxide, or heat detector reports a tamper:
Contact CommTech Systems if the tamper does not clear.
If the device was physically knocked loose, do not simply tape it back into position.
Its mounting, alignment, tamper mechanism, or wireless operation may need to be checked.
Contact CommTech Systems.
If several sensors suddenly report tamper at approximately the same time, do not begin opening multiple sensors.
Contact CommTech Systems so the condition can be diagnosed.
If the trouble refers to the Qolsys panel itself rather than an individual sensor, do not remove the panel from the wall.
Contact CommTech Systems if the panel tamper remains active.
Depending on the system configuration and affected device, the panel may allow certain burglary sensors to be temporarily bypassed.
Bypassing a tampered sensor does not repair it.
Do not routinely bypass a sensor to avoid repairing a persistent problem.
Do not bypass smoke, carbon monoxide, heat, or other life-safety equipment as a workaround.
A tamper condition normally does not require deleting the sensor from the Qolsys panel.
Deleting the sensor can remove security protection from that area.
Do not factory reset the Qolsys panel because a sensor reports tamper.
A physical cover, mounting, or sensor problem should be corrected instead.
Contact CommTech Systems if:
When requesting assistance, provide:
For your security, do not provide alarm codes, passwords, or other private account credentials through the support chatbot.